For 2007 the womens Jett saddle is completely redesigned and comes in three width sizes depending what size sit bone width you have. This is a race level, no compromise women's saddle with patented Body Geometry technology so novices may not find it initially comfortable and may be better looking at options like the Dolce's more padded choices.
However if it's a race saddle you're after or if you're a hardened biker then the Jett is a must try. At the Specialized product launch we saw how the cut-out section has been medically tested to reduce soft tissue pressure (Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, 2005). We hadn't realised our girls bits were under such serious threat until then! Plus there's the soft durometer Tuned Density Foam padding which helps reduce pressure in the essential places too. The saddle has plenty of lateral flex with each sit bone on what feels like a separate section of the saddle, this seems to reduce shock from the trail or road from below and seems to aid comfort on long rides too.
The Jett offers a carbon reinforced shell and hollow Ti rail which provide a durable and lightweight saddle. As we said before it's available in three widths for optimum fit. To determine your correct size we'd suggest you use the Specialized Ass-ometer (yes it's real name) available at most Specialized dealers. The gel padded cushion is placed on the edge of a table and your asked to sit on it with your legs bent and feet on a chair to position all your weight on your sit bones. After a few minutes you can hop off and you're left with a couple of indentations, which allow you to measure the width of your sit bones. The three saddle widths are 130mm, 143 and 155mm, we were not the size we expected and it's not necessarily related to bum size or hip width so it's well worth a quick go.
Three width sizes
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Comfort and fit
Finding a saddle that is the correct width for your sit bones is a relief for many women who assumed that discomfort was to be expected in a saddle. With padding and support in the correct places the Jett is comfortable yet still offers the serious female cyclist light weight and sporty styling.
The cutout section does provide relief from pressure on the soft tissue areas and the padded sit bone areas were supportive as well as comfortable. It didn't take us long to find the perfect saddle angle to aid a comfortable fit.
Verdict:
- Price: £59.99
- Colours: Blue, Black, White
- Widths: 130, 143, 155mm
- Performance: 9
- Value: 8
- Comfortable female specific race saddle in three sizes
- Contact: www.specialized.com
the phoenix
